NEW YORK — The Federal Communications Commission might be ready to permit cellphone calls in flight. But what about the airlines?

Old concerns about electronics being a danger to airplane navigation have been debunked. And airlines could make some extra cash charging passengers to call a loved one from 35,000 feet.

But that extra money might not be worth the backlash from fliers who view overly chatty neighbors as another inconvenience to go along with smaller seats and stuffed overhead bins.

“Common courtesy goes out the window when people step in that metal tube,” said James Patrick II, a frequent flier from Newnan, Ga. “You think the debates and fistfights over reclining the seat back was bad. Wait until guys start slugging it out over someone talking too loud on the phone.”

Tom Wheeler, who became the FCC’s chairman three weeks ago, issued a statement Thursday saying that “modern technologies can deliver mobile services in the air safely and reliably and the time is right to review our outdated and restrictive rules.”

Travelers protested to the agency and on social media, and Wheeler backed off Friday. He clarified that “airlines are best positioned” to make decisions about what’s in the interests of passengers.

The country’s largest flight attendant union has come out against allowing calls in flight. Delta Air Lines is the only major airline to explicitly state that voice calls won’t be allowed on its flights, even if the FCC allows it.

Other airlines aren’t as firm. United Airlines says that if the FCC changes its rules, “we will study it along with feedback from customers and crews.” American Airlines has offered a similar approach. So has JetBlue, which says it would “welcome the opportunity to explore” voice calls but “would prioritize making the cabin comfortable and welcoming for all.”

Confused yet?

Well, to complicate matters even more, the airlines don’t need to wait for the FCC. Yes, the government would need to remove the restriction for you to make normal calls in flight. But there are already plenty of ways to make calls legally over airline Wi-Fi networks, while keeping your phone in “airplane mode.”

Just as many schools and workplaces block access to pornography websites, airlines use filters to block access to Skype and other Internet calling services.

Gogo Inc., which provides Internet access on American, Alaska Airlines, Delta, United, US Airways and Virgin America flights, recently announced a new service for passengers to send and receive text messages or make phone calls using Wi-Fi.

A U.S. airline Gogo wouldn’t name will launch the service next year with only text-messaging capabilities.

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